The mortality data came from the National Center for Health Statistics. The 1982 Census Bureau population estimates, multiplied by six, were used as the denominators for calculating the average annual death rates. Motor vehicles caused 37 percent of all injury-related deaths and were the leading cause of injury mortality in every group except children younger than 1 year old, for whom homicide was the leading cause. Male death rates were at least four times female rates for suicide, unintentional firearm injury, and injuries related to farm machinery or motorcycles. The drowning rate among whites was almost twice that for blacks for ages 1-4, but in the 10-14 year age group the drowning rate for blacks was more than three times that of whites. In general, the highest injury death rates were in the mountain States and the south. Between 1980 and 1985, the suicide rate in the 10-14 year age group more than doubled. Figures, tables, 17 reference, and appended list of the leading cause of injury death in each State. (Author abstract modified)